Farewelling a local icon

by ayoung and Alasdair Young

Alasdair Young
Journalist Chinchilla News
I grew up in the northern suburbs of WA before moving to Queensland in my teens to finish my education. I graduated from Griffith University in 2012, doing work experience in Bundaberg before landing my first job at the Western Times in Charleville.
I have since worked in Roma, St George, and Chinchilla, where I am currently based.
As a rural reporter, I cover everything from sport, community, and crime to politics and power prices.
The Surat Basin is a great place to live, and boasts a...

THE loss of the Western Downs’ iconic snake catcher Ivan Edney has been felt deeply across the region.

Originally a mechanic by trade, Ivan turned his back on city life to become a full- time snake catcher in 2001.

He wore distinctive blue overalls whenever on a job, which drivers could easily spot as they passed him tending to stricken reptiles by the Warrego Hwy.

Ivan’s only vice was the occasional cigarette; the rest of his pension was spent almost exclusively on equipment, medical treatment and food for the animals.

Living alone, they were among his closest companions.

The man’s passion for animal welfare extended well beyond his training as a snake catcher – Ivan also took an interest in the treatment of bats, livestock and nesting birds. On the odd occasion that Ivan would find out about any mistreatment, he would harangue the alleged perpetrator immediately.

While this often put him at odds with the more human-centric residents, there was no denying Ivan’s genuine care for creatures too small, scaly or leathery to be considered conventionally sweet.

It is this kindness and uncomplicated empathy for little creatures which set him aside as a truly memorable man.

Ivan met his end at 69 years of age in a head-on car accident with 70-year-old Taroom woman Pam Walsh last Thursday.

He was on his way to an animal rescue at the time of the accident. Ivan’s ashes will be sprinkled near Miles on the Ryalls Rd property where he lived and rehabilitated animals. Ivan’s brother, David Edney, said a small gathering of friends would hold a service in Chinchilla on Australia Day, with no official service. RSPCA Queensland staff and volunteers added their sympathies to the Edney family. Mr Edney often featured as an animal expert for APN newspapers in the Surat Basin, and was respected by those who knew him.